Monday, June 11, 2012Exploradio - NASA powers Cleveland's clean busHydrogen can send a space shuttle into orbit, and power a bus around Cleveland in a new partnership between RTA and NASA Glenn.by WKSU's JEFF ST. CLAIRThis story is part of a special series.

Reporter / HostJeff St. Clair

Cleveland RTA riders may soon be riding on a hydrogen fuel cell powered bus. The only exhaust is water. NASA Glenn is partnering with RTA to build a hydrogen fueling station in their East Cleveland garage.

The hydrogen gas will be generated on-site at the RTA bus garage using an electrolyzer that produces enough gas each day to power the bus 80 - 100 miles. Hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using the process of electrolysis. Hydrogen is a very powerful fuel, NASA developed used it to send the space shuttle into orbit. The only exhaust from a hydrogen fuel cell motor is water.

The purpose of the project is to demonstrate alternative energy technologies and build awareness for hydrogen fuel cells. Northeast Ohio is a center for fuel cell research. The state's Third Frontier Fuel Cell program, from 2003 - 2011, pumped $90 million into fuel cell research and manufacturing in Ohio.

The Cleveland RTA voted in May to approve up to $50,000 to cover the costs of installing a hydrogen fueling station at their East Cleveland garage. Connecticutt-based United Technologies Company, or UTC, will provide a zero-cost, one-year lease for the bus, which has price tag of over $2 million. East Cleveland officials still must approve the plans. The Plain Dealer reports that East Cleveland safety officials are reviewing the fueling-station plans. NASA's Valerie Lyons says the hydrogen is safer than liquid fuels because it is spill-proof.